Atlanta Braves - PlayerWatch

1B Freddie Freeman is batting .368 with 29 RBIs over the last 31 games. Since coming off the DL with a strained oblique,

LHP Luis Avilan ranks 15th in the majors with 33 appearances. He is No. 7 in the NL by allowing only 18.8 percent of his inherited runners to score. He leads the club with 10 holds.

LHP Alex Wood (0-0, 3.52) will make his first major-league start. Although he's been used solely in relief since being recalled on May 30, Wood has been a reliever throughout his career. He was 4-2 in 10 starts for Double-A Mississippi and had a streak of 32 straight scoreless innings earlier this season. For Atlanta, he's struck out nine and walked four in 7.2 innings.

RHP Tim Hudson allowed just one run in six innings and received no-decision on Monday. The veteran has not won since May 5. Over his last eight starts, Hudson has five losses and three no-decisions. He's allowed only one run in three of his last four starts. "I'll just keep throwing the way I'm throwing and the wins will come," Hudson said.

3B Chris Johnson has hit safely in 17 of his last 25 games, going 26-for-75 during that period. Johnson is 5-for-12 on the current homestand and has hit in three straight games.

RHP Paul Maholm (7-5, 3.65) has pitched well against the Mets, going 6-3 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 career starts. He has not faced the Mets this season. Maholm is coming off an uneven performance in his last start, when he allowed five runs, seven hits and three walks in 5.2 innings of a loss at San Diego.